Drier



March 5, 1935. w. 1.. MARTIN 1,993,244

DRIER Filed April 25, 1931 5 Shets-Sheet 1 Wendall L-Martin LNvEN'I'OK March 5, 1935. w. L. MARTIN 9 DRIER Filed April 25, 1951 SSheets-Sheet 2 Wandall L. m un a? l N LNTQR w. L. MARTIN 1,993,244

DRIER March 5, 1935.

Filed April 25, 1951' s Sheets-Sheet 3 Aliznizll Lvl lariiq March 5, 1935. w MARTIN 1,993,244

DRIER Filed April 25, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 5, 1935. w. L. MARTIN 1,993,244

DRIER Filed April 25, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IEQ JEB @IWEEL Wendell L- Martin.

LNVLNTOR Patented Mar. 5, 1935.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE H Dania Wendell L. Martin, Cleveland, Ohio Application April 25, 1931, Serial No. 532,816

25 Claims. (01. 219-39) This invention relates to driers, more particu- Figure 20 is a diagrammatic layout of cirlarly to hair driers, and has for an object the procuits used in connection with the control device vision of new and improved devices of this charshown in Figures 18 and 19 for controlling a acter. heating element and motor,

In the drawings accompanying this speciflca- Figure 21 is a diagrammatic layout of cirtion and forming a part of' this application, I cuits used in connection with the control device have shown, for purposes'of illustration, certain disclosed in Figures 18 and 19 for controlling embodiments which my invention may assume, the motor speeds,

and in these drawings: Figure 22 is a fragmentary vertical sectional Figure l is a fragmentary side elevational, view of a different control mechanism, 10 part sectional view of an embodiment of the in- Figure 23 is a side elevational view of a convention, trol mechanism used in connection with the Figure 2 is a top plan view of said embodiment, invention for selecting circuits, Figure 3,is a front elevational view of a clock Figure 24 is a sectional view corresponding 13 mechanism used in connection with said emto the line 24-24 of Figure 23, bodiment, Figure 25 is a horizontal sectional view cor- Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view correresponding to the line 25-25 of Figure 23, sponding to the line 4-4 of Figure 3, Figure 26 is a side elevational view of another Figure 5 is avertical sectional view correembodiment of a control device for selecting sponding to the line 5-5 of Figure 4, circuits, 7 20 Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view Figure 2'7 is a front elevational view of the decorresponding' to the line 6-6v of Figure 1, vice shown in Figure 26,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of Figure 28 is a top plan view of the device the valve mechanism employed in connection shown in Figures 26 and 27, with said embodiment, Figure 29 is a diagrammatic layout of electri- 5 Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view correcal circuits employed in connection with the consponding to the line 8-8 of Figure 1, trol devices disclosed in Figures 23 through25 Figure 9 is a. vertical sectional view correfor controlling a motor and heating element, sponding to the line 9-9 of Figure 6, Figure 30 is a different layout of electrical cir- 30 Figure 10 is a diagrammatic layout of the cuits employed in connection with the control 0 electrical means employed in connection with devices disclosed in Figures 26 through 28 for said embodiment, controlling a, motor and heating element, while Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view Figure 31 is a vertical sectional view of an of a different embodiment of valve mechanism, embodiment of means for simultaneously con- 35 Figure 12 is a horizontal sectional view corretrolling a motor, a heating element, and valve 5 sponding to the line 12-12 of Figure 11, means, utilized in connection with the inven- Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional tion.

view of another embodiment of valve mech- Referring first to Figures 1 through 10, the inanism, vention comprises a standard 40, a fragment only Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view of still of which is shown, carrying an adjustable sup- 40 another embodiment of valve mechanism, correport 41, to which is connected a supporting arm sponding to the line 14-14 of Figure 15, 42 integrally formed with and supporting an Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view correannular housing 43, provided above its center sponding to the line 15-15 of Figure 14, with a boss 44 adapted for the reception of a 45 Figure 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional motor 45, and the motor armature shaft 46 has 45 view'of still another embodiment of valve mechfastened thereto a centrifugal fan 47 disposed in anism corresponding to the line 16-16 of Figa somewhat eccentric position with reference to ure 1'7, the housing 43, having blades 48 terminating Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view correshort of the circular wall 49 of the housing 43 sponding to the line 17-17 of Figure 16, providing a chamber 50 surrounding the fan 47 50 Figure 18 is a vertical sectional view of a cirand into which the air thrown off of the blades cuit control device used in connection with the of the fan 47 is discharged. The forward end invention, I of the housing 43 is provided with a laterally Figure 19 is a vertical sectional view correextending flange 51 to which is secured, as by sponding to the line 19-19 of Figure 18, bolts 52, a casting 53 provided with a hollow ex- 55 tension 54 disposed axially in line with the fan 47, and secured to the outer end of the extension 54, as by screws 55, is a metallic flexible conduit 56 made up 01' well known material, which, though flexible, is suinciently rigid to retain its form after flexure. and the outer end or the conduit 56 is connected to a casing indicated generally at 57. The casting 53 is also provided with an inclined hollow extension 58 communicating with the chamber 50 at the enlarged portion thereof, and communicating with a conduit 59 similar to, though smaller than the conduit 56, and the conduit 59 is connected to a fitting 60, which communicates with the casing 57.

The casing 57 is generally of bowl-shape. adapted to accommodate the head of the person to be treated, having an annular wall 61 providing a mouth 62 normally disposed downwardly, and said mouth 62 has a bell-like flared portion 63, connected to the adjacent edge of an annular wall section 64 by a seam 65, and the wall section 64 has an angular portion 66 with a flange 67 connected to the wall 61 of the casing 57 by rivets 68, and the wall section 64 and adjacent wall 61 of the casing define an annular chamber 69, communicating with the interior of the casing 57, through a plurality of apertures 70 in the wall 61 of the casing, and also with the fitting 60 and conduit 59. The casing wall 61 tapers upwardly, and at its upper extremity is secured to an elbow fitting 72 by bolts 73, and the elbow fitting 72 is secured to the adjacent end of the conduit 56 by bolts 74.

A screen 75 is mounted in-the reduced end portion of the casing 57, and at the inner side of the screen there is mounted an electrical radiant heating element 76 of the infra-red type, operable to direct emanations into the casing and into contact with the head of the person to be treated.

As will be apparent, operation of the motor and fan sets air in motion through the apparatus, the air being sucked inwardly toward the fan 47 through the conduit 56, and thrown off centrifugally by the fan 47 into the chamber 50, passing thence outwardly through the conduit 59, discharging into the chamber 69, thence through the apertures 70 into the interior of the casing 57, a large portion of the discharging air then passing toward the reduced end of the casing 57 over the heating element 76, through the conduit 56 and again to the fan 47, thus providing for continuous recirculation of the air passing through the apparatus.

As best shown in Figure 8, a heating element 77 is mounted in the fitting 60, comprising a resistance coil wound about an insulated post 78 projecting into the path of the air passing through the fitting 60 and secured at one end to an insulating block 79 which in turn is secured to the wall 80 of the fitting 60, the conductor 81 connected to one end of the heating coil, extending through asuitable aperture in the wall 80, and connected to control means 83, hereinafter described, while the conductor 82 may lead to a source of electrical energy. The air passing through the fitting 60 of the apparatus is heated by its passage over and around the heating element 77, as will be understood.

The control means 83 (Figures 3, 4, 5, and 8) are provided for automatically controlling the amount of heat generated by the heating element 77, and comprise a rheostat coil 84, to one end of which is connected the conductor 81 01' the heating element 77, and the coil 84 is adapted to be traversed by a rheostat arm 85 fixed to, but insulated from the arbor 86 of a timing device 87, and the arm 85 communicates with a source of electrical ener through the conductor 88. The timing device 87 is 01' well known construction, including the usual clockwork escapement, adapted to rotate the arbor 86 a predetermined extent in a predetermined time, in this instance approximately 240 in twenty minutes, as indicated by a pointer 89 cooperating with a dial 90, and the pointer 89 is provided with finger pieces 490 by means of which the arbor 86 may be turned to wind up the clock mechanism, and when released the clock mechanism will return the arbor 86 and arm 85 to initial position within the time required, and the rheostat arm 85 will travel along the rheostate coil 84 so as toprogressively throw in more and more resistance to the passage of current to the heating coil 77, and thus over a measured interval of time gradually diminish the heat generating capacity of the heating element 77.

The speed of the motor 45, and hence of the fan 47, may be controlled independently in a similar manner, by a separate control device 991 comprising a substantial duplicate of the mechanism already described, one pole of the motor 45 being connected to a line wire similar to the line wire 82, and the other pole of the motor to a rheostat arm similar to the rheostat arm 85; but since it is desired to speed up the motor 45, to bring about a greater displacement of air through the apparatus to automatically eflect cooling of the air passing through the apparatus, the control device 991 differs from the device 83, in that the position of the clock mechanism with reference to the rheostat arm 85 is reversed, so that when the clock mechanism is wound up a greater amount of resistance is 'thrown into the motor circuit, and as the clock mechanism unwinds, the resistance is progressively diminished by movement of the arm 85 with reference to the rheostat coil, thereby speeding up the motor 45.

It is preferred to include the motor 45 and the heating element 77 in circuit with a control switch 500, as best shown in Figure 10, wherein a line wire 501 leads to a contact arm 502 adapted to contact any one pair of switch terminals 91-9la, 92-92a, and 93-9311. The terminal 91 is connected directly by a conductor 94 having an interposed resistance 940, to one pole piece of the motor 45, while the other pole piece of the motor 45 is connected to the line wire 95; and connected in parallel with the motor 45, by means of a conductor 96 extending from the contact 91a is the heating element 77, the circuit being completed by a conductor 97a, thus when the arm 502 of the switch 500 is moved into contact with the switch terminals 91-91a a circuit is completed through the motor 45 and heating element 77 and these elements then operate at maximum capacity in the ordinary way. The switch terminal 92 is connected by a conductor 98, having an interposed resistance 99, to one pole of the motor 45 and the other pole of the motor 45 is connected to the line wire 95, as before; a second conductor 88 leads from the terminal 92a to the rheostat arm 85 of the control device 83, adapted to traverse the rheostat coil 84, connected in parallel with the motor 45 by conductors 98, 88, 100 and 97; thus with the arm 502 of the switch 500 in contact with the switch terminals 9292a, the motor 45 is run at the same speed by reason 01' the presence of the resistance 99, and the heater element 77 may automatically be diminished in capacity in any predetermined period of time through turning the pointer 89 of the clock mechanism 87 to wind up the clock mechanism, throwing out the resistance of the rheostat 84, and when the clock mechanism is released the arbor 86 returns the arm 85 toward initial position, and throws a larger and larger portion of the coil 84 into .the circuit supplying the heating element -77, thus progressively reducing the heating capacity of the heating element '77. The switch terminal 93 is connected by a conductor 101 to a rheostat arm 451 or the motor control device 91 similar to the control device 83, and circuit is made through the arm 451 and the rheostat 452 to one pole of the motor 45, the other pole of the motor being connected to the line wire 95; the arm 451 being movable in a direction to cut in resistance when the clock mechanism is wound up, and operating to cut out resistance when the clock mechanism unwinds, to thereby increase the speed of the motor 45 and thus effect greater displacement of air through the apparatus. The terminal 93a is connected by a conductor 102 with the conductor 88 leading to the control device 83, the heating element '1'! being connected to the line wire 95 and control device 83, by the conductors 100 and 97; thus both the motor 45, and the heating element 7'7 may automatically be controlled by the timing mechanisms 83 and 991 heretofore described, which cooperate in diminishing the heat in the air stream passing through the apparatus.

Additional means are provided for cooling the stream of air recirculating through the apparatus and may comprise an exterior air intake device 960, carried by the extension 54, provided with segmental openings 103 between which are segmental webs 104, and outwardly of the openings 103 there is provided a rotary shutter 105 having segmental openings 106 adapted to be disposed partially or fully in registry with the openings 103, and the shutter 105 is connected by a lost motion connection 107 with the arbor 108 of a clock mechanism similar to the clock mechanism or timing device 87, that is, operable when wound up to rotate the arbor 108 a predetermined extent in a certain time. The shutter 105 normally is closed, and when, it is desired to operate the same, it is moved to a second closed position, and rotation of the arbor 108, as controlled by the clock mechanism, gradually opens the shutter to admit outside air to the air stream traveling through the apparatus, and when the shutter 105 has reached fully open position it may be manually moved to the normally closed position as permitted by the lost motion connection 107.

The position of the shutter, as shown by Figure 9, is the normally closed position. To cause the automatic operation of the shutter, the clock is wound 180 in a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 9) to a second closed position. As the clock tends to unwind, it will rotate 90 without picking up the shutter, and the remaining 90 rotation will gradually open the shutter, and when the shutter has reached fully open position, as shown by the vertical dotted line position in Figure 9, it may be manually moved to the normally closed position as permitted by the lost motion connection 107. The flexible finger fixed upon the shutter shaft stud is used to provide enough friction to prevent accidental displacement of the shutter as by jarring.

In the construction described, and with the arm 502 of the switch in contact with the switch terminals 91-91:: the motor 45 and heating element 77 may simultaneously be energized at full capacity, and operate in this manner as long as desired, and both may be shut down entirely by turning the switch arm 502 to oil. position. When the arm 502 is engaged with the terminals 9292a, and the control 83 set by winding up the clock mechanism 8'1, the motor 45, because of the presence of the resistance 99 will run at a predetermined speed, and the rheostat arm 85 traversing the rheostat coil 84 as the clock mechanism unwinds will throw an increasing amount of resistance into the circuit of the heating element 7'7, thereby gradually diminishing its capacity and resulting in controlled cooling of the air recirculating through the apparatus. When the arm 502 is engaged with the terminals 93-93:, not only is the capacity of the heating element '1'! reduced, but through operation or the control device 991, the resistance in the motor circuit is progressively thrown out, speeding up the motor, and through increased speed of the fan 47 displacing a greater quantity of air, which results in a cooling efiect, augmenting that incident to reduction in the capacity of the heating coil 7'7. The control device 960 may be operated to augment the combined effects 01 the reduction in capacity of the heating element 77 and the increase in motor and fan speed, the clock mechanism of the device 960 being wound up to move the shutter 105 to its second closed position, and the shutter 105 gradually opened to admit cooler exterior air as the clock mechanism unwinds, Thus the various controls 83, 991, and 960 may be operated either independently or in concert, and provide means for controllably cooling the recirculating air in the apparatus over a measured period of time.

Referring now to Figure 18 a somewhat difierent type of control mechanism for the heating element is disclosed, comprising a timing device of the same character as the timing device 87 heretofore described, having an arbor 109 carrying an arm 110 adapted to travel along arcuate contact pieces 111, 112, 113, the contact 111 being connected by a conductor 114 to a heating coil 115, the contact 112 connected by a conductor 116 to the heating coil 115, and the contact 113 being connected by a conductor 117 to the heating coil 115, and the latter communicates at one end with a line wire 118. Cooperating with the control mechanism is a switch 119 having a switch arm 120 connected to the line wire 121 and adapted to engage the switch terminals 122, 123-123a, 124-124a. The switch terminal 122 is connected by a conductor 125 with a motor 126 which is connected with the line wire 118, and with the switch arm 120 contacting the terminal 122, the motor 126 is energized, but the heating coil 115 is not energized. The switch terminal 123 is connected by a conductor 127 with the motor 126, and the terminal 123a is connected to the conductor 114 by conductors 128, so that with the switch arm 120 in contact with the terminals 123-423a, both the motor 126 and the portion of the heating coil 115 between the conductor 114 and the line wire 118, are energized at maximum capacity. The switch terminal 124 is connected to the motor 126 through a conductor 129 and conductors 125 and 127, and the switch terminal 124a is connected by a conductor 130 with the contact arm 110 of the control device, and when the clock mechanism is wound up, in a counter clockwise direction in Figures 19 and 20, the arm 110'will first traverse the contact piece 111, energize the portion of the coil 115 between the conductor tap 114 and line wire 118, will then traverse the contact 112 bringing into the circuit the additional portion 01' the coil between the conductors 114 and 116, will then traverse the contact 113 bringing in the additional portion or the coil 115 between conductgrs 116 and 117, thereby progressively reducing the heat generated by the coil 115 over a predetermined period.

The control mechanism described in connection with Figures 18, 19 and 20 may be employed for controlling the speed of the motor, and as shown in Figure 21, comprises a clock mechanism having an arbor 131 carrying an arm 132 adapted to engage contact pieces 133, 134 and 135, the contact piece 133 being connected by a conductor 136 directly to a motor 137 and to one end of a resistance coil 138, the motor being connected also with the line wire 139. The contact piece 134 is connected by a conductor 140 to the coil 138 midway between its ends, and the contact 135 is connected to the opposite end of the coil 138 by a conductor 141. The arm 132 is connected bya conductor 142 with a switch terminal 143 of a switch 144, and a switch terminal 143a is connected by a conductor 145 with one end of a heating coil 146, the opposite end of said heating coil being connected to the line wire 139. The switch 144 also has a terminal 148 connected by a conductor 149 with the conductor 145, and a terminal 148a connected to the con ductor 136; and the switch also has a terminal 150 connected by a conductor 151 to the heating coil 146 and a terminal 150a, connected to the conductor 136 leading to the motor 137.

When the switch arm 152 of the switch 144 is in engagement with the terminals 150-150a, the motor 137 and heating coil 146 are at maximum; when the switch arm 152 is in engagement with the terminals 148-148a the motor runs at maximum speed and an additional portion of the heating coil 146 is cut in thereby reducing the heat. When the switch arm 152 is in engagement with the terminals 143-143a,

and the clock mechanism is wound up, all of the resistance of the resistance-coil 138 is thrown into the motor circuit, and the full heating coil 146 is likewise cut in, and as the arm 132 rotates in a counter clockwise manner, as in Figure 21, successive portions of the coil. 138 are cut out of the motor circuit, the motor runs faster, displaces more air, and exerts a cooling action graduated over a predetermined measured interval upon the air recirculating through the apparatus.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, clock mechanism similar to themechanism 87 may be used to operate apoppet valve for controlling the fresh air intake. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the wall of the extension 54 may be provided with a. valve seat 153 for the reception of a poppet valve 154 normally urged to open position under the influence of a spring 155 interposed between thevalve 154 and a spider 156 secured to the wall of the extension, and the valve 154 is provided with a stem 157 having a pin 159 adapted to engage the cam surfaces 16.) of a cam member 161 connected to the arbor 491 of a clock dev'ce 162 similar to the clock device 87 described in connection with Figures 3 through 8. A catch 163 cooperates with a groove 164 in the stem 157 to hold the valve 154 closed. In operation the cam member 161 of the clock mechanism 162 is tm'ned to the extreme position shown in Figure 11, and the catch 163 released, and the cam member 161 of the clock mechanism 162 then permits the valve 154 to open in step by step fashion to permit the intake of larger air.

A single clock mechanism similar to the clock mechanism 87 may be employed to operate all three control means, that is the control of motor speed, the control of the heating capacity 01 the heating element 77, and control of the valve mechanism for controlling the fresh air intake. A device of this character is disclosed in Figure 31 and comprises a clock mechanism 185, similar to the clock mechanism 87, having an arbor 166 provided with an arm 167 adapted to engage a rheostat coil 168 interposed in the circuit or the heatingelement in the manner previously explained in connection with the heating coil 77, also provided with a second arm 169 adapted to engage a rheostat coll 170 interposed in the circuit of the motor as heretofore explained, and

also provided with a lost motion connection 171 connecting the arbor 166 to a shutter 167 of the type described in connection with Figure 6.

In this construction a single clock mechanism controls all three factors which affect cooling of the air recirculated through the drying apparatus.

Referring to Figure 22, instead of employing a clock mechanism for controlling the heating element 77, a thermostatic element in the form of a sylphon 172, surrounded by an insulated heating coil 173, may be employed, having a rod 174 provided with a rack 175 engageable with pinion 176 carried by an arm 177 movable along a rheostat ml 178 interposed in the heating element circuit, to progressively cut in resistance, a trip 179 being carried by the rod 1'74 for opening the switch of the circuit adapted to energize the coil 173 when the sylphon 172 has elongated the desired extent. Likewise a similar device may be used for controlling the motor speed merely by interposing the rheostat coil 178 in the motor circuit, reversing the coil, however, to progressively cut out resistance to effect increase in speed of the motor. It will also be apparent that the thermostatic element 172 and the rod 174 and rack 175 may be engaged with a pinion 176 attached to a shaft such as the shaft 108 connected to the shutter 105 as shown in Figure 6, to thereby control the shutter 105.

Referring to Figure 13 a thermostatic control device is employed to operate a valve mechanism for the fresh air intake, and in this con struction the wall 180 of the extension 54 may be provided with an opening adapted to be closed by a valve 181 of the poppet type, provided with a stem 182 slidably mounted in a bracket 183 secured to the wall 180, the valve 181 normally being urged to closed position by a spring 184 interposed between the bracket 183 and an abutment member 185 carried on the stem 182. A casing 186 is provided, and at its rear end carries a heating coil 187 surrounding a sylphon 188 fastened to the rear end of the casing 186, and at its outer end having a seat 189 adapted to engage theadjacent end of the valve stem 182 to press the valve outwardly and gradually to open the same. When the valve 181 reaches the limit of its outward movement a dog 190, pivotally mounted at 191 is adapted to engage a shoulder 192 formed upon the valve stem 182, and the dog is provided with a bell crank extension 193 carrying a contact 194 to which the conductor 195 leading to the heat- 198 outwardly and the dog 190 to ing coil 187 is connected, and adapted to make connection through the contact 194 with a contact 196 connected to a conductor 197, contact being broken when the dog 190 movesbehind the shoulder 192 on the valve stem 182. A release rod 198 is provided for releasing the dog 190, and a spring 199 operates to urge the rod engaged position. The rod 198 being spring pulled, when the finger or dog 190 drops behind the shoulder 192, the contact 194 is swung about the pivot 191, thereby breaking the circuit.

In Figures 14 and 15 a fragment 200 of the extension 54 is shown as provided with apertures 201 adapted to be opened and closed by an apertured shutter 202 provided with a hub 203 having a reduced portion 204 rotatably mounted upon the outer end of a cup-shaped insulating member 205, the inner end of which is secured to the wall 200 by screws 206. The insulating member 205 is held in position by a bolt 207, and carries a hollow cylindrical heating element 208 adapted to be energized by conductors 209 and 210, and the conductor 210 has interposed therein a movable switch member 211 adapted to engage a stationary contact 212, and the hub 203 of the shutter 202 is provided with a pin 213 extending through a slot 214 in the insulating member 205, and is adapted to engage the switch member 211 in the fully opened position of the shutter 202 to break the circuit through the heating coil 208. The wall 200 may be provided with a boss 215 having one end of a thermostatic element 216 secured thereto by a screw 217, the thermostatic element 216 being of a bimetallic character and ex.ending spirally about the heating coil 208, terminating in an actuating hooked portion 218 adapted to engage a hooked bracket 219 rigidly aflixed to the reduced portion 204 of the shutter hub 203, and adapted to operate in a slot 220 formed in the insulating member 205. When the conductors 209 and 210 of the heating coil 207 are energized, and with the shutter 202 closing the openings 201, the thermostatic element 216 tends to straighten out, and by reason of engagement of its hooked portion 218 with the hooked portion 219, gradually opens the shutter 202 to admit exterior air into the stream of recirculating air passing through the apparatus, and when the shutter 202 reaches fully opened position the pin 213 engages the movable switch member 211, breaks the circuit through the heating coil 208, and de-energizes said heating coil. The valve is manually moved to closed position by rotation of the hub 203 and shutter 202 in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 15.

Referring to Figures 16 and 17 the wall 220 of the extension 54 may be provided with apertures 221 adapted to be regulated by an apertured shutter 222, having a hub 223 rotatably supported upon the outer end of a post 224, and the post 224 at its inner end has a collar 225 bearing against the outer surface of the wall 220, and is clamped in position by a nut 226 at the opposite side of said wall. The shutter 222 is normally urged in a direction to open the shutter by means of a spring 227 having one end connected to the post 224 and the opposite end connected to the hub portion 223 of the shutter 222. Rigidly connected to the hub 223 is a ratchet member 228, provided with a plurality of ratchet teeth 229 disposed in order at successively greater radial distances from the center of the member 228, and engageable with the teeth 229 of the ratchet member 228 is a dog 230, pivotally mounted as at 231, and urged into engagement with the teeth 229 of the ratchet member 228 by a spring 232. In order to release the dog 230 and permit a step by step opening of the shutter 222 a bimetallic thermostatic actuating element 233 is provided, the outer end of which bears upon a pin 234 carried by the dog 230. The thermostatic element 233 is surrounded by a heating coil 235, and interposed in the conductor 236 leading to the heating coil 235 is a stationary contact 237 and a movable contact 238 normally pressed into engagement. The contact 238 is adapted to be engaged by a pin 239 carried by the ratchet member 228 when the shutter 222 has reached fully opened position to break the circuit of the heating coil 235. When the circuit of the heating coil 235 is energized the thermostatic element 233 will tend to straighten, and through its contact with the pin 234 of the dog 230 will operate said dog 230 to release the teeth 229 one at a time in a step by step manner, thus counteracting the tendency of the spring 227 to immediately open the shutter 222.

Referring to Figures 26, 27, 28 and 30 a different embodiment of controlling device for the heating element is disclosed, comprising a drum 240 of insulating material, normally urged in one direction by a spring 241, said drum 240 having a contact element 242 of a certain length, a contact element 243 somewhat shorter than the element 242, a contact element 244 also shorter than the element 242, and reversely disposed with reference to the element 243, drum 240, as best shown in Figures 28 and 30, the contact elements 242, 243, 244 and 245 adapted to be engaged by contact arms 246, 247, 248 and 249 respectively, the contact arm 247 being tapped in the heating coil 250 by a conductor 242, and the contact arm 248 being tapped into the heating coil 250 by a conductor 253, while the contact arm 249 is connected to the circuit wire 254 by a conductor 255. Th drum 240 carries a ratchet wheel 256 having teeth 257 disposed at successively greater distances from the center thereof and adapted to extend through an aperture 258 in a dog member 259 pivotally suspended as at 260 and urged toward the ratchet wheel 256 by a spring 261. A thermostatic element 262 is provided, surrounded by a heating coil 263 connected by a conductor 251 with the contact element 246 and to the line wire 264, and when heated elongates and operates to push the dog member 259 outwardly, permitting one tooth 257 of the ratchet wheel 256 to advance, in the manner of an escapement, resulting in sufficient movement of the drum 240 to move the contact element 243 out of engagement with the arm 247 thereby cutting in an additional portion of the heating coil 250, and the elements 242, 246, 244, 248 operate in a like manner during advance of the ratchet wheel 256 and the drum 240, cutting in additional portions of the heating coil 250 and decreasing its heating effect, and when the drum 240 has moved the required extent the heating coil 263 is de-energized by reason of the contact arm 246 being moved out of engagement with the contact element 242. The device thus described is preferably included in circuit (Figure 30) with a motor 265 and an operating switch 266. The switch 266 has a contact arm 267 connected to a line wire 268, and is provided with terminals 269, 270-270a and 271- 271a. The terminal 269 is connected to the motor 265 by a conductor 272, and the motor is connected to the line -wire 264, permitting the motor to be energized without energization of the heating coil 250. The terminal 270 is connected to the conductor 272 leading to the motor 265, and the terminal 270a is connected to the heating coil 250 by a conductor 273, so that both the motor 265 and coil 250 may be energized at full capacity simultaneously. The terminal 271 is connected to the conductor 272 leading to the motor 265, and also connected to the contact elements 242, 243, 244 and 245 and to the end 274 of the coil 250, so that rotation of the drum 240 takes place in the manner above described.

The device just above described may also be employed to automatically control the motor speed, being interposed in a circuit such as that shown in Figure 29. In this arrangement a resistance is interposed in the motor circuit, and is then gradually cut out in a step by step manner, thereby speeding up the motor. The motor 276 is connected to the line wire 277 and to a resistance coil 278, and a drum operated device similar to that described above, is employed, the contact arms 247, 248 and 249 being tapped into the coil 278 by conductors 279, 280 and 281 respectively, and the drum will have contacts 283, 284, 285 and 286 the contact 286 being continuously engaged by the arm 249 to establish the circuit through the entire resistance 278, and the contact 283 being engaged by the contact arm 246 to energize the coil 263 and start rotation of the drum 240 through heating the thermally responsive element 262, and

as the drum rotates the element 284 is engaged by the arm 247, cutting out a portion of the resistance 278 and speeding up the motor 276; further rotation of the drum 240 causes the contact element 285 to be engaged by the contact arm 248 to cut out the remaining portion of the resistance 278, and simultaneously causing disengagement between the element 283 and the arm 246, de-energizing the coil 263 while maintaining contact through the element 285 and arm 248, to permit the motor 276 to operate at maximum speed.

A switch 287 and heating coil 288 are included in the circuit disclosed in Figure 29, the switch having terminals 289-28911, 290 290a, 291291a; the terminal 289 is connected by a conductor 292 to one end 293 of the heating coil 288-and the terminal 289a is connected by a conductor 294 to the motor 276, so that the heating coil 288 may be operated at substanially half capacity and the motor 276 at full capacity. The terminal 290 is connected by a conductor 295 to the heating coil 288 substantially midway between its ends and the terminal 29011 is connected to the conductor 294 leading to the motor; thus both the motor 276 and heating coil 288 may be operated at maximum capacity. The terminal 291 is connected to the end 293 of the heating coil 288 to energize said coil at substantially half capacity, and the terminal 291a is connected to the contact 286 and also to the contacts 283, 284, and 285, which upon rotation of thedrum gradually cut out the resistance of the coil 278.

Referring to Figures 23, 24 and 25 a diiferent control device is disclosed comprising a support 296 to which are pivotally connected a plurality of strips, a. strip 297, a somewhat shorter strip 298 and a strip 299 substantially of the same length as the strip 297 each normally urged downwardly by a spring 300, and each having a contact disk 301 on its upper surface adapted to engage a similar contact disk 302 on each of the conducting pieces 303, 304 and 305. Cooperating with the outer ends of the strips 297, 298 and 299 is a holding member 306 electrically connected to a circuit wire 406, at one end, and to a circuit wire 282 at its opposite end, pivotally hung as at 307 and urged inwardly by a spring 308 and having a slot 309 through which the ends of the strips 297,298 and 299 normally project. and the strips are thus held in position to normally maintain contact between the contact disks 301 and 302. A thermostatic element 310 is carried by the support 296, is surrounded by a heating coil 311 and has its outer end insulated and disposed to engage the holding member 306, and when elongated, advances and pushes the holding member 306 outwardly, first releasing the shortest strip 298, breaking connection with the disks 301 and 302 carried thereby, sometime later releasing the strips 297 and 299 with the same result, and when all of the strips have been released the circuit through the heating coil 311 is broken. A bar 318 for returning the strips 297, 298 and 299 to initial position is provided as shown.

The device thus described may be interposed in a circuit such as that shown in Figure 30, wherein the conducting piece 303 may be interposed in circuit with the coil 311, connected to the line wire 264 by a conductor similar to conductor 251, the conducting piece 304 tapped into the heating coil 250 by a conductor similar to the conductor 252, and the conducting piece 305 tapped into said coil 250 by a conductor similar to the conductor 253, and the circuit wire 282 01' the holding mem ber 306, being connected to the end 274 of the coil 250.

It will appear from the preceding description that means are provided for controlling three factors, over predetermined periods, which affect cooling of the air passing through the apparatus, first by controlling the capacity of the heating element, second by controlling the displacement of air as dependent upon the motor and tan speeds, and third controlling exterior air intake; and that these various control means are operable either independently or simultaneously. It also appears that a clock mechanism such as that described may be utilized in connection with the control of any one of the factors mentioned and wherein either gradual uniform progressive action is eflected, or step by step gradual action eil'ected; also it will appear that thermostatic timing and control means may be employed in connection with any one or all of the control factors mentioned, which may operate in uniform gradual fashion or in step by step gradual fashion to regulate the control factors previously referred to; and in addition the control means, either the clock, or thermostatic mechanisms, are operable in certain instances to select circuits cooperating.

to bring about the control desired.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein disclosed accomplish the principal objects of the invention, and it will be apparent that the invention embodies uses and advantages other than those herein particularly referred to, and it will be further apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in said embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, and accordingly the disclosure herein is illustrative only and the invention is not limited thereto.

. I claim:

1. A drier comprising: a casing, means for proclucing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, and automatic means automatically operable to controllably vary the volume of air when passing through said casing and thereby regulate the temperature of said air without interrupting continuous passage thereof through and discharge from said casing.

2. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of a stream of air through said casing, means for heating said air, exterior air intake means operable to admit exterior air to the'air stream passing through said casing to thereby control the temperature of said air stream and means effective automatically during a time interval of predetermined duration for controlling the admission of air through said intake means. 7

3. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of an air stream through said casing, means "for heating said air, valve means in said casing adapted to supply additional air from the outer atmosphere to the air stream passing through said casing to cool the air of said air stream, and means for automatically controlling the operation oi! said valve means.

4. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of an air stream through said casing, means for heating the air of said air stream, electrically operable means variable to affect the temperature of the air of said air stream, rheostat means cooperable with said electrically operable means to vary operation of the same, means for automatically actuating said rheostat means, and a timing device for timing the movement of said actuating means.

5. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of an air stream through said casing, means for heating the air of said air stream, electrically operable means variably operable to affect the temperature of the air of said air stream, having a plurality of circuits adapted to be selectively energized to so vary operation of said electrically operable means, switch means for selectively energizing said circuits, means for automatically actuating said switch means, and a timing device for timing the movement of said actuating means.

6. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, means operable through variation in the heating capacity of said heating means to controllably regulate the temperature of said air, and means operable to controllably vary the volume of air passing through said cas ing throughout a time interval of predetermined duration and also thereby controllably regulating the temperature of said air.

7. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, means operable through variation in the heating capacity of said heating means to controllably regulate the temperature of said air, exterior air intake means, and means operable throughout a time period of predetermined duration for varying the volume of exterior air admitted to said casing throughout said'intake means thereby varying the temperature of said air.

8.- A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, means operable through variation in the heating capacity of said heat-.

ing means, means operable to controllably vary the volume of air passing through said casing to thereby affect the temperature of said air, and exterior air intake means variably operable to admit exterior air to said casing to thereby affect the-temperature of said air.

9. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing,

means for heating said air, valve means operable to admit additional air from the outer atmosphere to the casing and thus affect the temperature of said air within the casing, and clock mechanism for controlling said valve means.

10. A drier comprising: a casing, actuating means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, electrical means for operating said actuating and heating means, rheostat means cooperating with said electrical means for varying the operation thereoi! to affect the temperature of the air passing through said casing, and thermostatic means for controlling said rheostat means.

11. A drier comprising: a casing, actuating means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, electrical means for operating said actuating means and said heating means, a plurality of circuits cooperating with said electrical means and operable to vary the operation of said electrical means to affect the temperature of the air within the easing, a device for selecting predetermined circuits, and thermostatic means for operating said selecting device.

12. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, valve means operable to admit exterior air to said casing to aifect the temperature of the air within said casing, and thermostatic means for controllably operating said valve means.

13. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, valve means operable to admit exterior air to said casing to affect the temperature of the air within said casing, and thermostatic means for operating said valve means in step by step fashion.

14. A drier comprising: a casing, means for producing passage of air through said casing, means for heating said air, valve means operable to admit exterior air to said casing to affect the temperature of the air within the casing, a ratchet mechanism cooperating with said valve means, and thermostatic means for operating said ratchet mechanism to affect a step by step movement of said valve means.

15. A drier, comprising: a casing; means for causing the flow of air through said casing; means for heating said air; spring actuated means for, varying the energization of said heating means; and thermostatically operated means for causing the intermittent operation of said spring actuated means.

16. A drier, comprising: a casing; valve mechanism for controlling communication between the interior of said casing and the outer atmosphere; a fan for causing a flow of air through said valve; means for heating said air; and a single timing device for controlling the operation of said valve to vary the volume of air passing therethrough, the operation of said fan to vary the velocity of the air passing through said casing, and the energization of said heating means to vary the temperature of said air. 7

17. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action of a stream of gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area;

fluid-circulating means within said casing; said fluid-circulating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream of fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of said fluid is recirculated; and mean, automatically operable, to controllably vary the temperature oi said fluid.

18. Apparatus, as or the type described, for subjecting a person to the action of a stream or gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluid-circulating means within said casing; said fluid-circulating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream of fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of, said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; and means automatically operable through variation in the heating capacity of said heating means to controllably regulate the temperature of said fluid.

19. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action of a stream of gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-iront casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluid-circulating means within said casing; said fluid-circulating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream of fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; and means, automatically operable, to controllably vary the volume of fluid passing through said casing and thereby regulate the temperature of said fluid.

20. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action of a stream of gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluid-circulating means within said casing; said fluid-circulating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream of fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlea area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; exterior air intake. means operable to admit exterior air to the fluid passing through said casing to thereby control the temperature of said fluid; and means eflective automatically during a time interval or predetermined duration for controlling the admission of air through said intake means. a

21. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action oi a stream of gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and'partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluidcirculating means within said casing; said fluidcirculating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream of fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in parfentrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; automatic means operable through variation in the heating capacity 01 said heating means to controllably regulate the temperature of said fluid; and automatic means operable to controllably vary the volume of fluid, passing through said casing and cooperably controllably regulating the temperature 01' said fluid.

22. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action 01' a stream of gas-- sous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluidcirculating means within said casing; said fluidcirculating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream 01' fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part 01' said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; exterior fluid intake means operable to admit exterior fluid to said casing; automatic means for controllably actuating said exterior fluid intake means; and automatic means for controllably varying the volume of fluid passing through said casing.

23. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action of a stream of gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluidcirculating means within said casing; said fluidcirculating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream of fluid, and to expel said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expelled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; automatic means operable through variation in the heating capacity of said heating means to controllably regulate the temperature of said fluid; exterior fluid intake means operable to admit exterior fluid to said casing; automatic means for controllably actuating said exterior fluid intake means; and automatic means for controllably varying the volume of fluid passing through said casing.

24. Apparatus, as of the type described, for subjecting a person to the action 01 a stream of gaseous-like fluid, comprising: an open-front casing, including fluid-directing means, and having its mouth formed to be directed toward and partially receive the subject to be treated, said mouth having an inlet area and an outlet area; fluid-circulating means within said casing; said fluid-circulating means, and said fluid-directing means operating together to indraw through said inlet area an inflowing stream 0! fluid, and to expell said fluid through said outlet area, and said apparatus comprising means whereby said fluid is expellled about said subject, and in proximity to said inflowing stream, to be in part entrained in said inflowing stream, whereby part of said fluid is recirculated; means for heating said fluid; regualting means operable through variation in the heating capacity of said heating means to controllably regulate the temperature of said fluid; exterior fluid intake means operable to admit exterior fluid to said casing; means for controllably actuating said exterior fluid intake means; varying means for controllably varying the volume of fluid passing through said casing; and mechanism common to said regulating means, said intake means, and said varying means for controlling the same.

25. A drier, comprising: a casing having an inlet; means tor producing passage 01 air through said inlet, into, and through said casing; an auxiliary inlet for exterior air; mechanism for varying the condition of the air passing through said casing, dependent upon the quantity of auxiliary air entering said casing, said mechanism being operable through a range of change between a predetermined quantity of auxiliary air and a difierent quantity of auxiliary air; and means for automatically controlling said mechanism during its change within its range of operation.

WENDELL L. MARTIN. 

